90 from the ’90s #17: Murder at 1600 (1997)

By Alex Wiggan

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

Welcome to 90 from the ‘90s; the movie-related post in which I watch, discuss and debate a film from the 1990s – a film that I’ve NEVER SEEN. Posting on a semi-regular basis, I aim to work my way through 90 movies that I’ve previously missed/avoided, recording my thoughts along the way.

I’m going to watch good films, bad films, forgotten classics, Oscar winners and everything in between. Some of these films you’ll be surprised I’ve never seen, others you’ll completely understand why I’ve avoided them for 20+ years.

The rules are as follows:

The film must be from the 1990s (1990-1999)

The film must be a movie I’ve not watched before

Today’s unseen ‘90s movie is…

Murder at 1600 (1997)

Murder at 1600 is another one of those movies which has simply passed me by for no specific reason. I know that Wesley Snipes is in this movie, but up until the time I tracked it down on Amazon Video (other streaming services are available) I had no idea that the title referred to a murder at The White House (i.e. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue).

This nugget of information, which was explained in Amazon’s on-screen synopsis, has actually made me pretty excited about watching Murder at 1600. This could be a good film!

30secs – The film opens with a man holding a gun to his temple. I can only presume this man has recently watched Weekend at Bernie’s II. Yeah, I hear ya pal. I hear ya.

1min 30secs – Wesley Snipes (playing a homicide detective) has turned up to defuse the situation. I presume he’ll explain to the man that things could be a lot worse – there could be a Weekend at Bernie’s III!

2mins 30secs – Wesley Snipes decides to punch the man to stop the situation escalating. It’s probably for the best. Even the mere suggestion of another Weekend at Bernie’s movie would be enough to tip him over the edge and that’s not what Wesley Snipes needs right now.

5mins 20secs – A body has been discovered in the bathroom of The White House. I’m guessing this is the murder at 1600 that the title refers to.

11mins – So, Wesley Snipes has now been called into The White House to investigate the murder.

12mins 30secs – Diane Lane has turned up and is at odds with Wesley Snipes. This is 100% Wesley Snipes’ fault – he’s being a grump towards her. I expect their relationship to improve over the course of the movie. Unless she turns out to be the murderer and then this is probably as good as it will get.

17mins 30secs – Meanwhile, back at Wesley Snipes’ apartment, Snipes is showing Lane his model collection. I’m not sure this is going to win her over.

25mins 30secs – Ooohh… this movie does very well at conveying suspense. It’s dark, it’s raining, the music is creating tension… and someone has been in Wesley Snipes’ apartment.

26mins – …and they’re still here.

32mins – Snipes is being discouraged from continuing the case, as the Secret Service have a suspect. Snipes isn’t convinced. Yeah, neither am I. We’re only 32 minutes into the movie, so I don’t think this suspect is the real deal.

40mins – Wesley Snipes is pretty good in this movie. How do I not know anything about this film? I feel like I should know more about this film.

42mins – A protest outside The White House. Now, where have I seen that before?

47mins 30secs – Well, Diane Lane isn’t the murderer. She’s currently being chased by other members of the Secret Service who are acting rather shady. I’m being led to believe this is some big cover up.

50mins – Ronny Cox is playing the President of the United States. I’m not sure I feel comfortable with the villain from Robocop and the villain from Total Recall playing the President of the United States. I mean, come on, a villain as the President of the United States, what will they ever think of next?

56mins – Wesley Snipes is convinced the murderer is the son of the US President. The music has got all Hitchcock-y making it seem very likely that he is the murderer. Yeah, I don’t think he’s the murderer either.

1hr 4mins – And now the President is a suspect! Yeah, it won’t be him. Although… it is Ronny Cox we’re talking about here, so there’s a strong possibility it could be.

1hr 18mins – Wesley Snipes and Diane Lane are being set up to take the fall. It has transpired that the National Security Advisor is behind the entire thing. And he would have gotten away with it too, if not for those pesky kids.

1hr 30mins – After infiltrating The White House (via secret tunnels), Snipes and Lane are being chased by the Secret Service. Cue: Secret Service agents running through a kitchen, knocking into staff instead of just running around them. How rude.

1hr 34mins – In order to get passed the Secret Service agents, Wesley Snipes has dressed up as the most conspicuous janitor ever. I mean, come on, it’s clearly Wesley Snipes!

1hr 35mins – The Secret Service saw through the disguise (what a surprise), but Wesley Snipes’ plan has worked! He’s managed to get to the President in time, thus revealing the murderer and wrapping everything up.

1hr 37mins – Oh and now Diane Lane has just taken a bullet for the President. Maybe everything wasn’t wrapped up.

1hr 38mins – She’s fine. Yeah, everything is wrapped up again.

*Clicks stop*

Yep, that was a fairly decent political thriller. Snipes was great, as was Lane and it didn’t wear out its running time. Nothing amazing, but nothing bad. And YES, it was MUCH BETTER than Weekend at Bernie’s II.